Zacuto/Letus rig for big glass at DVinfo.net

James Sidney · July 23rd, 2008, 11:42 AM

Hello,

I'd like to know how people are incorporating collar mount lenses with zacuto rails and the letus. I have a 80-200 2.8 lens and a 300 2.8 lens (both with collar mouths) I'd like to put on a letus, but I don't how to mount them on rails. And the studio rig from zacuto doesn't look to have long enough rails for the 80-200 and a matte box. I suppose I just substitute longer rails?

Can anyone give me some solutions?

Thanks,
James

Chris Barcellos · July 23rd, 2008, 04:26 PM

There is a bit of a discussion about big lens use and adapters here.

http://www.dvinfo.net/conf/showthread.php?t=125608

To me, you will get better long lens capability on a normal zoom of most consumer cameras, so the benefit of using an adapter doesn't seem to be there for long lens work..

James Sidney · July 23rd, 2008, 04:35 PM

Thanks Chris, I have seen that thread. But really I'm interested in the very shallow depth of field of my 80-200 2.8 lens. Unfortunately it's a beast and needs to be supported via its mounting collar. Just need to know how to get a set of rails to accept it.

Surely this has been resolved by someone... Anyone?

Ted Ramasola · July 23rd, 2008, 08:34 PM

Its not a zacuto rig but it might give you an idea since its also an 80-200 f2.8 glass.

first attempt was just an angular aluminum support. screwed to the collar and just resting on top of the rails.

http://www.dvinfo.net/conf/showthread.php?t=113480

second version i had 2 alum angle bars riveted together and now screws to both collar and a rail block.

http://www.dvxuser6.com/uploaded/6699/1215617841.jpg

just like to point out that the slight arching is due to the fact i didnt lock the coupling for the fujinon thread to the adapter. its a solid and straight rig. measures 1 meter and 1cm exactly.

Christopher Witz · July 24th, 2008, 06:48 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ted Ramasola

Its not a zacuto rig but it might give you an idea since its also an 80-200 f2.8 glass.

first attempt was just an angular aluminum support. screwed to the collar and just resting on top of the rails.

http://www.dvinfo.net/conf/showthread.php?t=113480

second version i had 2 alum angle bars riveted together and now screws to both collar and a rail block.

http://www.dvxuser6.com/uploaded/6699/1215617841.jpg

just like to point out that the slight arching is due to the fact i didnt lock the coupling for the fujinon thread to the adapter. its a solid and straight rig. measures 1 meter and 1cm exactly.

bara.... bara..... baracu..... u...... u...... dah!

James Sidney · July 24th, 2008, 10:53 AM

That's a heck of a rig...

I'm not very handy with home-made fixes. I need someone who manufactures the kind of adapter you have there. No third party out there?

Bob Hart · July 25th, 2008, 12:02 AM

Every now and again I link to this image. It might not be the biggest but it certainly is the ugliest.

http://www.dvinfo.net/media/hart/agusmto8.JPG

What looks like a rod support is actually the plastic corners of a case I had it resting on. To use it, I had a primitive pinewood support with a plate underneath with tripod screw tapped into it on the balance point.

James Sidney · July 30th, 2008, 04:06 PM

Just noticed this on the Zacuto website: http://store.zacuto.com/product.php?productid=344

Spoke to a Zacuto salesperson and apparently it has vertical adjustment. I've ordered one, so will post my experiences when it arrives.

J

July 23rd, 2008, 11:42 AM	#1
James Sidney Regular Crew Join Date: Oct 2002 Posts: 44	Zacuto/Letus rig for big glass Hello, I'd like to know how people are incorporating collar mount lenses with zacuto rails and the letus. I have a 80-200 2.8 lens and a 300 2.8 lens (both with collar mouths) I'd like to put on a letus, but I don't how to mount them on rails. And the studio rig from zacuto doesn't look to have long enough rails for the 80-200 and a matte box. I suppose I just substitute longer rails? Can anyone give me some solutions? Thanks, James

July 23rd, 2008, 04:26 PM	#2
Chris Barcellos Inner Circle Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: Elk Grove CA Posts: 6,838	There is a bit of a discussion about big lens use and adapters here. http://www.dvinfo.net/conf/showthread.php?t=125608 To me, you will get better long lens capability on a normal zoom of most consumer cameras, so the benefit of using an adapter doesn't seem to be there for long lens work.. __________________ Chris J. Barcellos

July 23rd, 2008, 04:35 PM	#3
James Sidney Regular Crew Join Date: Oct 2002 Posts: 44	Thanks Chris, I have seen that thread. But really I'm interested in the very shallow depth of field of my 80-200 2.8 lens. Unfortunately it's a beast and needs to be supported via its mounting collar. Just need to know how to get a set of rails to accept it. Surely this has been resolved by someone... Anyone?

July 23rd, 2008, 08:34 PM	#4
Ted Ramasola Trustee Join Date: May 2005 Location: Allen, Texas U.S.A Posts: 1,117	Its not a zacuto rig but it might give you an idea since its also an 80-200 f2.8 glass. first attempt was just an angular aluminum support. screwed to the collar and just resting on top of the rails. http://www.dvinfo.net/conf/showthread.php?t=113480 second version i had 2 alum angle bars riveted together and now screws to both collar and a rail block. http://www.dvxuser6.com/uploaded/6699/1215617841.jpg just like to point out that the slight arching is due to the fact i didnt lock the coupling for the fujinon thread to the adapter. its a solid and straight rig. measures 1 meter and 1cm exactly.

July 24th, 2008, 10:53 AM	#6
James Sidney Regular Crew Join Date: Oct 2002 Posts: 44	That's a heck of a rig... I'm not very handy with home-made fixes. I need someone who manufactures the kind of adapter you have there. No third party out there?

July 25th, 2008, 12:02 AM	#7
Bob Hart Inner Circle Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: PERTH. W.A. AUSTRALIA. Posts: 4,477	Every now and again I link to this image. It might not be the biggest but it certainly is the ugliest. http://www.dvinfo.net/media/hart/agusmto8.JPG What looks like a rod support is actually the plastic corners of a case I had it resting on. To use it, I had a primitive pinewood support with a plate underneath with tripod screw tapped into it on the balance point.

July 30th, 2008, 04:06 PM	#8
James Sidney Regular Crew Join Date: Oct 2002 Posts: 44	Just noticed this on the Zacuto website: http://store.zacuto.com/product.php?productid=344 Spoke to a Zacuto salesperson and apparently it has vertical adjustment. I've ordered one, so will post my experiences when it arrives. J